Weather News

Heatwave hits in the western region

The mercury is set to soar above 40 degrees in many parts of the western region as the country swelters through a heat wave.

Bourke tops the chart with 43 celcius and is expected to hover in the low 40s for the next few days.

The temperature in other centres like Dubbo, Tibooburra, Cobar and Parkes is also forecast to be above 40.

There is not a total fire fan in the region, but Inspector Bill Britt from the Rural Fire Service is warning home and landowners to be careful.

"People with permits need to be extremely vigilant with what they do with the fire," he said.

"We've got brigades that are well prepared.

"The brigades have been advised of the current high temperatures and the fire danger that's about, (so) just to be available, so we can keep contact with what they're up to.Inspector Britt says volunteers have been told they may be called up.

He says there are a number of things landholders can do to prepare.

"Make sure they've got a tank full of water, the pump works, the hoses all work so that, should a fire break out, they've got some way of trying to hit it quickly before it takes off all hell breaks loose, so to speak.